serendipityoucity

The Science and Human Rights Program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has done an assessment of the Sri Lankan Civilian Safety Zone (CSZ) and surrounding environs in the northeast by analysing high resolution images derived from multiple satellites: DigitalGlobe’s QuickBird and WorldView satellites; and GeoEye’s Ikonos and GeoEye-1 satellites. This work was done at the request of Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International USA (AI-USA).  In addition, a set of photographs taken during a helicopter over flight of the CSZ by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on May 22 provided critical information which aided imagery analysis. These data were accompanied by ancillary information on mortar and artillery was derived from publicly available United States Army Field Manuals, as indicated below and also public statements from the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), as well as media reporting.  The latter were not considered to be accurate.

In one assessment six images, spanning dates from 9 May 2005 through 24 May 2009, were compared to discover significant land cover change, human displacement and an expanded area cleared for graves. Between May 9-10

no outside parties were allowed access to the area during the timeframe in question, commercial high-resolution satellite imagery was one of the only options for gathering information.

This report summarizes results of satellite imagery analysis concerning possible indications of shelling, IDP movements, changes in gravesites, and possible artillery and mortar positions. Selected images and analysis results described below have been made available on GoogleEarth for public use. 

The report explains how the analysis is done, which visual cues to look for (e.g. raised rims, circularity, peripheral ejecta, bowl shapes and size to determine bomb craters) provides images and explains all data sources.  The images captured:

• the displacement of people,
  
• the destruction of permanent structures,
  
• changes in land cover,
  
• three graveyards with approximately 1350 unique graves counted
• possible artillery and mortar positions 

The AAAS has a number of other case studies to learn from.  This type of reporting accompanied by investigative reporting around the Balibo Five and its movie, makes it harder for atrocities to be lied about.  Now that it is hard to lie, what do we do to prevent these things in the first place!